TSWA honors college players of the week - Jan. 26

January 27, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Sewanee’s Nikolas Avaliani earned TSWA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, posting 29.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in two games, as announced Tuesday by the organization.

The freshman posted 32 points and five boards at Trinity University, connecting on 11-of-18 shots overall, 5-for-10 from 3-point range and 5-of-6 at the foul line. He followed that with 26 points, four rebounds and three assists at Southwestern University, hitting 9-of-16 shots and 8-for-12 at the foul line.

Avaliani is averaging 19.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in 18 games this season.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Trevecca Nazarene’s Jordan Gillies was voted TSWA Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 24.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in two games for the Trojans.

She tied a season-high with 27 points in a win at Auburn Montgomery, connecting on 9-of-16 field goals and 7-for-9 at the foul line along with four rebounds and six assists. Gillies added her third double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds in a win at Montevallo. She notched her third and fourth 20-plus point games of the year as well.

Gillies is registering 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 18 contests this season.

TSWA/USA Today Network Prep Basketball Poll - Jan. 26

January 26, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association and USA Today Network announced the second week of basketball rankings for the 2025-26 season on Monday, January 26. The Top 10 teams in each of the four Division I classifications and Top 5 in two Division II classes were selected by TSWA members and USA Today writers with first-place votes in parentheses and total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote.

BOYS
Division I
Class 1A
1. Eagleville (16-0) – 119 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Pickett County (21-2) – 109 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Jackson County (18-4) – 89. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Richland (12-3) – 79. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Humboldt (11-6) – 70. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Perry County (12-5) – 62. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Gleason (17-3) – 51. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Booker T. Washington (14-4) – 31. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
9. Wayne County (14-7) – 25. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
10. Jo Byrns (13-5) – 23. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 2A
1. Chattanooga Prep (8-10) – 107 (5). Last Week: Ranked No. 3
2. Tellico Plains (16-4) – 106 (5). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Peabody (18-2) – 96 (2). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
4. Huntingdon (13-3) – 64. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
5. Gatlinburg-Pittman (13-4) – 61. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. White House Heritage (16-5) – 58. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
7. Cannon County (15-5) – 51. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
8. Tyner Academy (13-7) – 43. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Summertown (16-4) – 40. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
10. East Nashville (11-3) – 21. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 3A
1. Upperman (18-5) – 114 (7). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Tullahoma (15-4) – 107 (4). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Jackson North Side (17-2) – 96 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Heritage (17-5) – 78. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Fulton (15-7) – 73. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
6. Fayette-Ware (16-3) – 63. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Alcoa (12-9) – 53. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Red Bank (16-5) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. White County (15-5) – 21. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
10. Stone Memorial (12-7) – 18. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 4A
1. Bartlett (19-4) – 119 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Bearden (24-1) – 109 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Germantown Houston (14-5) – 86. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Maryville (19-3) – 81. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
5. Walker Valley (17-2) – 71. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Brentwood (20-2) – 65. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Whitehaven (19-7) – 48. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Beech (20-2) – 45. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Blackman (16-3) – 20. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
10. Southwind (19-6) – 17. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-A
1. Providence Christian (16-6) – 55 (8). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Battle Ground Academy (21-4) – 51 (5). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Franklin Road Academy (17-3) – 38 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. St. George’s (16-5) – 22. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
5. Boyd Buchanan (15-10) – 8. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (23-2) – 60 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Lipscomb Academy (23-1) – 43. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. Knox Catholic (17-4) – 38. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
4. Briarcrest Christian (17-3) – 27. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Brentwood Academy (17-5) – 12. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

GIRLS
Division I
Class 1A
1. Richland (14-2) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Gordonsville (19-2) – 106. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. Greenfield (19-2) – 98. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Wayne County (18-4) – 83. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
5. Van Buren County (16-3) – 70. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Jackson County (14-8) – 55. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
7. Coalfield (17-5) – 41. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
8. North Greene (18-4) – 38. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
9. Pickett County (12-9) – 23. Last Week: Not Ranked
10. Cloudland (20-4) – 22. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 2A
1. York Institute (18-3) – 119 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Gatlinburg-Pittman (16-3) – 105 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Westview (16-3) – 97. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Huntingdon (18-3) – 84. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
5. Gibson County (18-6) – 62. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Stewart County (19-3) – 56. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
7. Cascade (17-5) – 51. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
8. Pearl-Cohn (15-4) – 41. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
9. Smith County (14-9) – 27. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
10. Tyner Academy (15-4) – 12. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 3A
1. White County (22-3) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
2. Stone Memorial (18-3) – 94. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
3. Upperman (18-4) – 88. Last Week: Ranked No. 1
4. Daniel Boone (20-2) – 86. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
5. Cocke County (23-3) – 74. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Northview Academy (17-2) – 61. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. South Gibson (19-4) – 50. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Jackson South Side (17-5) – 36. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Clinton (22-2) – 25. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
10. Heritage (19-4) – 11. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: Dyersburg (10)

Class 4A
1. Bradley Central (20-0) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Bearden (20-3) – 107. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Whitehaven (21-3) – 89. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
4. Green Hill (20-1) – 81. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
t5. Cookeville (18-3) – 59. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
t5. Sevier County (13-5) – 59. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
7. Blackman (16-3) – 58. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Lebanon (16-4) – 32. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Nolensville (17-4) – 30. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
10. Coffee County (18-5) – 12. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-A
1. Christian Academy of Knoxville (21-2) – 60 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. University School of Jackson (15-5) – 43. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. Ezell-Harding (21-0) – 38. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Middle Tennessee Christian (17-3) – 22. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
5. The King’s Academy (20-5) – 11. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (17-5) – 60 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Lipscomb Academy (19-5) – 47. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. Ensworth School (13-3) – 23. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Christ Presbyterian Academy (17-2) – 23. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
5. Father Ryan (14-3) – 16. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Publications that participated in the voting include The Tennessean in Nashville, the Knoxville News-Sentinel, The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, The Daily Herald in Columbia, The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, The Leaf-Chronicle in Clarksville, The Chattanooga Times-Free Press, The Mirror-Exchange in Milan, The Herald-Citizen in Cookeville, Tri-Cities Sports and Five Star Preps.

College players of the week named by TSWA - Jan. 20

January 20, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Sewanee’s Fletcher Bigham earned TSWA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, posting 31.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in two road conference victories, as announced Tuesday by the organization.

The Charlotte, N.C., native contributed 23 points and 13 rebounds at Oglethorpe University, making 10-of-14 shots overall with three 3-pointers. He followed that with a career-best 40 points along with 14 boards at Berry College, connecting on 13-of-20 from the floor and 7-for-11 from 3-point range. The junior surpassed 1,000 career points versus Berry and recorded his 11th and 12th double-doubles of the season.

Bigham is averaging 21.0 points, 11.9 boards and 2.1 blocks in 16 games this year.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: UT Martin’s Kenley McCarn was voted Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 27.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals in two games for the Skyhawks.

She scored 15 points with nine boards, three assists and five steals versus SIU Edwardsville in the first game of the week. She then posted a career-high 40 points against Lindenwood University, connecting on 14-for-16 from the floor, including 4-for-4 from 3-point range and 8-for-8 at the free throw line while adding three assists.

McCarn is netting 17.1 points with 4.8 rebounds in 17 contests this season.

TSWA/USA Today Network Prep Basketball Poll - Jan. 19

January 19, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Sports Writers Association and USA Today Network announced the second week of basketball rankings for the 2025-26 season on Monday, January 19. The Top 10 teams in each of the four Division I classifications and Top 5 in two Division II classes were selected by TSWA members and USA Today writers with first-place votes in parentheses and total points based on 10 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 10th-place vote.

BOYS
Division I
Class 1A
1. Eagleville (16-0) – 117 (10). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Pickett County (20-2) – 108 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Jackson County (17-3) – 99 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Richland (12-3) – 81. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
5. Humboldt (8-6) – 72. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Perry County (11-5) – 53. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
7. Gleason (16-3) – 30. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
8. Wayne County (12-7) – 35. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
9. Jo Byrns (11-5) – 29. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
10. Booker T. Washington (11-4) – 21. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: Unaka (12)

Class 2A
1. Peabody (17-1) – 110 (8). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Tellico Plains (14-4) – 98. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
t3. Cannon County (15-3) – 96. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
t3. Chattanooga Prep (7-10) – 96 (4). Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Summertown (15-3) – 70. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Gatlinburg-Pittman (13-4) – 53. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
7. Huntingdon (10-2) – 50. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Tyner Academy (11-7) – 35. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
9. White House Heritage (14-5) – 22. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
10. East Nashville (9-3) – 12. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 3A
1. Upperman (16-4) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Tullahoma (13-4) – 97. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
3. Jackson North Side (12-3) – 79. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
t4. Heritage (15-5) – 78. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
t4. Fulton (13-4) – 78. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Fayette-Ware (15-3) – 54. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
7. Alcoa (8-8) – 49. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
8. Red Bank (14-4) – 47. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
9. White County (12-5) – 25. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
10. Cumberland County (15-7) – 22. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 4A - CORRECTED
1. Bartlett (17-4) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Bearden (22-1) – 107. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Maryville (18-3) – 89. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Germantown Houston (12-5) – 80. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
5. Walker Valley (15-2) – 69. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
6. Brentwood (18-2) – 64. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
7. Whitehaven (17-7) – 42. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Beech (19-2) – 38. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
9. Southwind (18-5) – 23. Last Week: Not Ranked
10. Blackman (14-3) – 17. Last Week: Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-A
1. Providence Christian (14-5) – 55 (7). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Battle Ground Academy (19-4) – 53 (5). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Franklin Road Academy (16-3) – 34. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Boyd Buchanan (14-9) – 25. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. St. George’s (14-5) – 13. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (21-2) – 60 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Knox Catholic (16-3) – 44. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. Lipscomb Academy (21-1) – 40. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
4. Briarcrest Christian (15-3) – 27. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Brentwood Academy (16-4) – 12. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
Other who received 10 or more points: None

GIRLS
Division I
Class 1A
1. Richland (14-2) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Jackson County (13-7) – 97. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Gordonsville (17-2) – 94. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
4. Greenfield (17-2) – 82. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
5. Wayne County (16-4) – 77. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
6. Van Buren County (13-3) – 56. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
7. North Greene (17-3) – 46. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Coalfield (15-5) – 38. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
9. Cloudland (19-3) – 29. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
10. Moore County (10-6) – 21. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 2A
1. York Institute (16-3) – 118 (10). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Gatlinburg-Pittman (15-3) – 105 (2). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Westview (14-3) – 96. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Cascade (16-4) – 79. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
5. Huntingdon (17-3) – 65. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
6. Gibson County (16-6) – 59. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
7. Smith County (13-8) – 42. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
8. Stewart County (17-3) – 39. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
9. Pearl-Cohn (13-4) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
10. Tyner Academy (14-3) – 11. Not Ranked
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Class 3A
1. Upperman (17-3) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. White County (20-3) – 108. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
3. Daniel Boone (19-2) – 80. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
4. Stone Memorial (16-3) – 75. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
5. Cocke County (21-3) – 70. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
6. Northview Academy (15-2) – 53. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
7. South Gibson (17-4) – 51. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
8. Jackson South Side (15-5) – 45. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
9. Dyersburg (14-3) – 34. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
10. Clinton (20-2) – 14. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
Other who received 10 or more points: Heritage (10)

Class 4A
1. Bradley Central (18-0) – 120 (12). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Bearden (18-3) – 107. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Cookeville (18-1) – 97. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Sevier County (12-4) – 76. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Whitehaven (18-3) – 68. Last Week: Ranked No. 6
6. Green Hill (18-1) – 51. Last Week: Ranked No. 7
7. Blackman (13-3) – 39. Last Week: Ranked No. 10
8. Lebanon (15-4) – 38. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
9. Nolensville (15-3) – 27. Last Week: Ranked No. 8
10. Bartlett (10-10) – 21. Last Week: Ranked No. 9
Other who received 10 or more points: Mt. Juliet (16)

Division II-A
1. Christian Academy of Knoxville (19-2) – 57 (9). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Middle Tennessee Christian (17-2) – 49 (2). Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. University School of Jackson (13-5) – 38 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Ezell-Harding (19-0) – 23. Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. The King’s Academy (18-5) – 9. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

Division II-AA
1. Knox Webb (15-5) – 59 (11). Last Week: Ranked No. 1
2. Christ Presbyterian Academy (16-1) – 47. Last Week: Ranked No. 2
3. Lipscomb Academy (17-5) – 33. Last Week: Ranked No. 3
4. Ensworth School (12-2) – 28 (1). Last Week: Ranked No. 4
5. Father Ryan (14-3) – 13. Last Week: Ranked No. 5
Other who received 10 or more points: None

TSWA recognizes college players of the week - Jan. 13

January 13, 2026 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE – Union University’s Terrence Ringo, Jr., earned TSWA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, averaging 23.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in two games, as announced Tuesday by the organization.

He recorded 25 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in an overtime loss to Valdosta State and collected 22 points, 15 boards, four assists and four blocks against West Florida. He shot 60 percent from the field and made 10-for-14 free throws over the two outings.

Ringo, Jr., is registering 17.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 15 outings this year.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes was voted Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, averaging 22.5 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 steals in wins against Missouri and Texas A&M.

She posted 20 points with three 3-pointers, four rebounds and six assists versus Missouri. Blakes made 9-of-16 shots overall and 7-for-7 at the foul line for 25 points along with five assists at Texas A&M. It marked her sixth straight game with 20-plus points.

She is recording 24.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.6 steals in 17 contests this season.